tips & tricks

Today, on the The Studio, MariaElena Baca brings us the final chapter of her enameling series. In Enameling 104 you’ll learn the differences between lead-free and lead-bearing enamels, you’ll get step-by-step instructions for how to wash your enamels, and you’ll watch a video featuring expert enamelist, Ricky Frank. Get inspired by today’s post and the entire series, then dive into this fun and colorful technique!

Packaging is a big deal­. Your customers are busy and their hearts smile when they see their purchase professionally wrapped and ready to hand over to its lucky recipient. If you have a packaging plan and plenty of supplies on hand, you’ll easily maintain an orderly packaging operation for your jewelry business. Today, on The Studio, get five creative and practical packaging ideas that’ll leave a lasting impression.

Rolling mills are great tools to have in any jewelry shop. They provide quick and efficient ways to roll out metal stock as well as countless ways to texture, pattern, and rework your metal creations. Once you’ve selected your rolling mill (or even if you’ve had one for years) this post includes some great rolling mill tips; from unpacking your mill to regular care that will keep it performing its best for years to come to diving in and using it for a million different jewelry-making tasks!

The best way to keep your tools in excellent working condition is to perform periodic maintenance. Although this is common sense, it is often the most neglected task. Today, on The Studio, Tim Sheriff of Swanstrom Tools shares great tips for maintaining cutting edges on both your Swanstrom Disc Cutter and your Swanstrom Super-Flush Cutters. This is a must see for maintenance of some of your favorite tools!

Today, on The Studio, Marlene Richey talks about the power of providing exceptional customer service. What outstanding customer service experience have you had recently and how did it make you feel? How can your service create a lasting positive memory for your customer? Remember, “The customer’s perception is your reality”!

Forming, riveting, raising, chasing, goldsmith’s, texturing—so many hammers for jewelers to use (the list goes on and on)! Here at Rio, we L-O-V-E hammers. We love them so much that we stock well over 100 hammers and hammer kits. With such a wide range of choices, how do you know which hammer or mallet to use? Today’s post on The Studio will take some of the mystery out of hammers and show you the exciting array of hammer resources available on Rio Grande’s website!

Today, on The Studio, Marlene Richey gives great, concrete advice on how you can merchandise your jewelry designs. Merchandising is the art of creating a common theme in your collection and capitalizing on that theme to encourage customer loyalty and sales. Merchandise your work beautifully and it will be easy to understand and identify. It will tell YOUR story!

Display risers provide a simple and elegant way to stagger the heights of your display, add dimension, and use the interior design “rule of three” by creating odd groupings. Risers also allow a wide variety of configurations you can customize to best display your jewelry pieces. Check out The Studio today for more riser inspiration!

Have you heard? You can now order your Rio Grande Impressions™ hot foil stamping services online when you order your boxes, totes, pouches, and more! The process is fast, simple, and so convenient—you’re going to love saving time and effort with this new service. Find out more in today’s post on The Studio.

Dig into the history of Argentium Silver by listening to this fascinating podcast from Middlesex University in England where inventor Peter Johns taught, researched and worked with metal alloys. Get the story behind the miracle metal in today’s post on The Studio!

Stone setting is hard work. To master the necessary skills you’ll need precision, patience, and plenty of practice. Blaine Lewis, widely recognized as the premier diamond-setting instructor in the U.S. today, understands this and invented TrendSetter Wheels which allow students to repeatedly set stones without setting up an individual mounting for each stone. Learn more about Blaine’s genius Trendsetter Wheels today on The Studio.

See one. Do one. There’s nothing like learning from a pro when it comes to setting gemstones. Through his videos and DVDs, Blaine Lewis teaches you one-on-one how to use your burs with precision while setting gemstones. Learn this and a whole lot more about how to set stones like a pro. Get started in today’s post at The Studio!

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Rio Grande’s Blog

Welcome to Rio Grande's Blog, a meeting place for those who, like all of us at Rio Grande, share a passion for making jewelry.

This little corner of the web is your opportunity to meet and visit with our experts and the experts who are our friends and partners. Come by often and see what’s new. Offer your take on the latest and greatest in your shop or studio.

Whether you’re just starting out or are always on the prowl for a new idea or inspiration, we look forward to getting to know you!